Queens, NY — Ash Ny Cafe, a coffee and tea establishment located at 90-40 160th Street in Jamaica, Queens, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 23, 2026. The inspection yielded a score of 28, placing the restaurant at the threshold of the city's lowest public letter grade. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 26, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one violation during the March 23 visit, classified as non-critical under the city's scoring system.
The violation cited was Code 08A: the establishment was found not to be free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of violation addresses structural or sanitary conditions that may attract or provide shelter for pests — such as gaps in walls or floors, accumulation of debris, or improper storage of food and waste — rather than an observed active pest presence.
Although the inspection recorded zero critical violations, the single non-critical violation was assessed at a point value sufficient to result in a score of 28, the minimum threshold for a Grade C under the city's grading system.
Food Safety Context
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain their premises free of conditions that could attract or harbor pests. This requirement aligns with the FDA Food Code, which identifies pest control as a fundamental element of safe food handling environments. Pest harborage conditions are taken seriously because infestations can lead to food contamination and the spread of foodborne illness.
DOHMH inspectors are trained to identify physical conditions — not just visible pest activity — that create risk. A Code 08A violation can be issued when inspectors observe conditions such as unsealed openings, improper refuse storage, or structural deterioration that could allow pests to enter or nest, even in the absence of observed pests at the time of inspection.
Establishments that receive a score of 28 or higher are not automatically closed. A Grade C posting is required while the restaurant may request a re-inspection or contest the findings through the city's administrative tribunal process.
Inspection History
Ash Ny Cafe's recent inspection record shows a notable shift from its previous performance:
- April 8, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A)
- February 24, 2025: Score 33
The April 2025 inspection placed the café solidly within Grade A range, while the February 2025 visit had also resulted in a score above 28. The March 2026 result returns the establishment to that same threshold, representing a decline from the Grade A status the café held less than a year prior.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City requires most food service establishments to post their letter grade in a visible location near the entrance. Grades are assigned based on the total point value of violations found during an inspection:
- Grade A: Score of 0–13 points
- Grade B: Score of 14–27 points
- Grade C: Score of 28 points or more
Each violation is assigned a point value based on its category and severity. Critical violations — those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk — carry higher point values than non-critical violations. In this case, the single non-critical violation documented was assessed at a value that reached the Grade C threshold.
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection within a set timeframe. The grade posted reflects the most recent inspection result.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Ash Ny Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.